CERVICAL LENGTH A PREDICTOR OF PRETERM BIRTH

BACKGROUND: Transvaginal ultrasound scanning (TVUSS) of cervical length at mid-gestation provides a useful method for predicting the likelihood of subsequent preterm birth. So, the present study was conducted to assess the cervical length as a predictor of preterm delivery. METHODOLOGY : An Institute based Prospective Observational study was conducted among 100 singleton pregnant women at Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally. Cervical length was assessed by TVS at 20-22 weeks gestational age. Data analysis was done using SPSS. RESULTS : Mean age of the subjects studied was 26 years. The mean cervical length in the population studied was 3.47cm at 20-22 weeks gestation and in preterm and term it was 2.56cm and 3.68cm respectively and a significant difference found between mean cervical length and gestational age at delivery. Cervical length at cut-off value of ≤ 2.5cm the sensitivity was 57.9% and at ≤ 3 cm the sensitivity increased from 57.9% to 73.6% for predicting preterm deliveries. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of cervical measurements at 22–24 weeks by transvaginal ultrasound was good for identifying women at increased risk of preterm delivery.